tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post3449152258937375871..comments2024-03-28T07:32:23.397+00:00Comments on On Probation Blog: General Secretary Election 10Jim Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-45255585540197273722018-05-31T18:01:46.799+01:002018-05-31T18:01:46.799+01:00Do one yourself then - Jim's email address is ...Do one yourself then - Jim's email address is easy to find on here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-13489111960051368632018-05-31T16:50:47.727+01:002018-05-31T16:50:47.727+01:00do a blog on racism, I could add a couple of thing...do a blog on racism, I could add a couple of things i witnessed and heard at a CRCAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-20507282754684380562018-05-31T05:50:37.831+01:002018-05-31T05:50:37.831+01:00It's never been that common, this story is fro...It's never been that common, this story is from 2015 and we covered it at the time. Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-9151883132079394792018-05-31T05:47:57.028+01:002018-05-31T05:47:57.028+01:00It wasn't off topic mate - simple as.It wasn't off topic mate - simple as.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-68790130330977170862018-05-30T22:30:01.379+01:002018-05-30T22:30:01.379+01:00I am truly shocked by your experience. My own expe...I am truly shocked by your experience. My own experience was of making minor faux Pas such as referring to 'chinese whispers' and being asked to be mindful of diversity. That you are routinely subject to the 'P' word is not a Probation culture I recognise. I hope it does not reflect a dumbing down of Probation and is a local abberation. Either way, whilst I understand your urge to resign, I wonder if there is some support and advice available to you that might provide you with some options to condider. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-9331649327054827502018-05-30T22:29:52.379+01:002018-05-30T22:29:52.379+01:00The post was off topic and why defend it JB are yo...The post was off topic and why defend it JB are you geafix in disguise. Keep it relevant all this nonsense and chums brigade. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-78676121602023385882018-05-30T22:25:55.993+01:002018-05-30T22:25:55.993+01:00Getafix put the daily mail down and develop a matu...Getafix put the daily mail down and develop a mature and wider reasoned understanding of why pay is scaled.The candidates are only applying because of the salary you could not expect your amount of crap for tuppence a week and the pleasure of serving the ungrateful the unable the inept the incompetent and the sheer number of dishonest and manipulative members and some staff alike. No pay no way. <br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-64749656462065180342018-05-30T22:16:12.913+01:002018-05-30T22:16:12.913+01:00Affairs with offenders very common place a few ye...Affairs with offenders very common place a few years back along. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-57481507026157550292018-05-30T22:02:12.029+01:002018-05-30T22:02:12.029+01:00“Napo believes it is vital for us to stand up for ...“Napo believes it is vital for us to stand up for professional standards and we will continue to do so. It is also important that HMPPS as an employer supports its staff.”<br /><br />.. really?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-78451415122304710012018-05-30T22:01:12.717+01:002018-05-30T22:01:12.717+01:00I just checked the Napo forum for the first time i...I just checked the Napo forum for the first time in about 3 years and saw this..<br /><br />“Racism still rife in Probation<br />Post a reply<br />2 posts • Page 1 of 1<br />Racism still rife in Probation<br />Postby Pulp fiction » Mon Dec 11, 2017 6:23 pm<br />I have been in the service for almost 30 years. And even after all the training, policies, diversity teams, the implementation of the McPherson report, and Mubarak Enquiry findings and recommendations. I still sit in an open plan office in a city office and get called a ‘P’ word, i should have been a taxi driver, and all ‘p’s’ look th same and I apparently stink of curry, I hear negative extremely racist comments towards black staff and offenders also, and after Brexit the comments got even worse. My colleagues sit around hearing all that’s said yet not a single person challenges these behaviours. <br /><br />Management won’t do anything unless it’s submitted officially, which would ultimately result in an entire team of 20 NPS staff being disciplined, which they won’t do as morales already at rock bottom. And by me doing this will Defo make me fit in better won’t it. And who will they believe 20 white staff or the one Asian staff member.<br /><br />It’s sadly got to a stage that after all these years of challenging oppression of all types. I’ve lost the will to go on. I’m scared of going into work and am resigning within the next few weeks, as it’s got to me. There’s no support there’s a lot of collusion and the policies aren’t worth the paper they are printed on.<br /><br />What has the service learnt.... nothing. <br /><br />The system continues to fail us, and sadly after 30 years racism has beaten me.”<br />http://www.napo2.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1050<br /><br />Shocking!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-65301331856851120692018-05-30T21:55:02.198+01:002018-05-30T21:55:02.198+01:00“highly principled and never backs down, prepared ...“highly principled and never backs down, prepared to give it all and not be cowed by anyone“ is exactly what Napo needs. It’s what it’s needed for many a year. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-87151864367539299362018-05-30T21:52:15.884+01:002018-05-30T21:52:15.884+01:00Inside line from former Prison Officer (not my goo...Inside line from former Prison Officer (not my good self), Mike Rolfe highly principled and never backs down, prepared to give it all and not be cowed by anyone. NAPO has been a malleable union over the years and I think this has reflected its members desire to work collaboratively and find compromise in the general interest. Being a former Probation Officer I wonder if we are truly suited to a Mike Rolfe or someone who will reflect our own malleability, a strength normally but badly bruised by TR ideologues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-75847610743405705962018-05-30T21:46:51.541+01:002018-05-30T21:46:51.541+01:00... and wow, probation officers having relationshi... ... and wow, probation officers having relationships with offenders .. that would be so unheard of !<br /><br />————-<br /><br />Probation worker tells inquest she had secret affair with Samurai sword killer Daniel Leather<br /><br />https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/probation-worker-tells-inquest-she-had-secret-687087<br /><br />Probation officer 'had affair with convicted murderer'<br /><br />https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9415328/Probation-officer-had-affair-with-convicted-murderer.html<br /><br />Probation officer jailed after falling in love with a prolific drug-addict burglar - and even protecting him from police after another break-in <br /><br />http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2943035/Probation-officer-jailed-falling-love-prolific-drug-addict-burglar-protecting-police-break-in.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-16674857820164080372018-05-30T21:38:25.732+01:002018-05-30T21:38:25.732+01:00This is the rubbish we get from Napo aka Crappo. A...This is the rubbish we get from Napo aka Crappo. As if the “reputational damage to the NPS and the role of probation officer” hadn’t already been damaged beyond repair by the NPS and Ministry of Justice itself. It wasn’t “vital for Napo to stand up for professional standards” against TR, privatisation, E3, OMiC, Vetting, etc, but it’s vital to take action against a few tweets!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-75760629424718074342018-05-30T20:29:01.484+01:002018-05-30T20:29:01.484+01:00She happens to be a member of this closed Facebook...She happens to be a member of this closed Facebook group and responds to queries raised by others. How the FB group started I don't know but think it was linked to fjght against TR split and has just continued rather like Jim's blogAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-82170173128495105212018-05-30T19:32:12.171+01:002018-05-30T19:32:12.171+01:00Just seen on IL's Twitter feed so clearly not ...Just seen on IL's Twitter feed so clearly not on holiday at the moment - fake news?<br /><br />"On way back from meeting with #Napo South Yorkshire members in Sheffield today. Visor was top of the agenda, privileged to hear from hard working and very concerned people who feel they have not been supported by senior HMPPS. Excellent input from Napo Vice-Chair Katie Lomas."Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-23475477239822228702018-05-30T16:12:30.371+01:002018-05-30T16:12:30.371+01:00We might as well cover this statement just issued:...We might as well cover this statement just issued:-<br /><br />On 28th May Channel 4 aired the programme 24 Hours in Police Custody. In the programme the identity of an offender was disclosed as Joanne McCarthy, formerly known as Joanne McGovern and said that she was a former Probation Officer. This statement is untrue. Joanne McCarthy was in fact a former social worker who worked within the Youth Justice Team. In 2013 she was struck off due to an inappropriate relationship with a client.<br /><br />Napo has been made aware that as a result of the programme, members in Luton and The Four Shires Branch have received a backlash via Twitter as well as reputational damage to the NPS and the role of the probation officer. Napo has taken direct action to ensure that this story is corrected in all publications.<br /><br />The Mirror has now amended its editorial, Bedfordshire Police are in contact with Napo to correct their twitter feed and we are awaiting a response from Channel 4. Although efforts have been made to contact HMPPS to get a statement issued, as yet we have had no response but will continue to pressure them.<br /><br />Napo believes it is vital for us to stand up for professional standards and we will continue to do so. It is also important that HMPPS as an employer supports its staff.Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-37975329529773315772018-05-30T16:04:54.257+01:002018-05-30T16:04:54.257+01:00Dear Getafix
Thank you for your response. I agree...Dear Getafix<br /><br />Thank you for your response. I agree with your analysis.<br />I wasn't trying to stifle debate or criticise.<br />I now understand your motivation in posting your earlier blog.<br /><br />Anon 14.16Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-22377677458706131002018-05-30T15:37:10.680+01:002018-05-30T15:37:10.680+01:00Annon @ 14:16.
Thankyou for your question, and my...Annon @ 14:16.<br /><br />Thankyou for your question, and my reply is pretty much as Jim has said. I would add however, that I think that whoever NAPO elect as GS is somewhat irrelevant to the overall picture. Sure, some will make more noise then others, but I take the view that their primary role will be to act with regard to the safeguarding and protection of the Union itself EVEN when that conflicts with the needs of its membership.<br />It's my personal view that paying the GS of any Union £80pa plus expenses and benefits is a conflict of interest to Trade Unionism itself.<br />Unions of all colour have been under attack for a long time, and adapted rather then resisted and as a consequence have been a part of their own demise and falling membership.<br />There first concern is for their own survival in the modern world of work, what their membership needs is secondary.<br />Maybe no one will agree with my point of view, or maybe Mr. Lawrence or Mr. Rolfe would like to comment and argue differently? <br />It's not the figure head that matters, you can put that on any ship. It's the lives and wellbeing of the crew that sail the ship that's important. <br /><br />'Getafix <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-71632236909468689642018-05-30T15:05:08.450+01:002018-05-30T15:05:08.450+01:00The relevance is 14.16 what is the General Secreta...The relevance is 14.16 what is the General Secretary doing to deserve a £75,000 salary (minimum. We have had no pay rise for 9 yearsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-83504934217404794752018-05-30T14:27:31.136+01:002018-05-30T14:27:31.136+01:00I'll leap in here and say it's relevant to...I'll leap in here and say it's relevant to the theme of unions and how they have or have not adapted to change - very relevant where Napo is concerned - but even so there is a long-established tradition of people introducing new threads on this blog if felt relevant or of immediate interest. Jim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00258147767051200157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-16016556456037620202018-05-30T14:16:15.805+01:002018-05-30T14:16:15.805+01:00Dear Getafix
This is a genuine question. I am not...Dear Getafix<br /><br />This is a genuine question. I am not a troll.<br />Please could you explain the relevance of your points to this particular blog? I ask because I want to know what I have missed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-15116833862820601272018-05-30T13:35:52.868+01:002018-05-30T13:35:52.868+01:00AI, the GIG Ecconomy, the Internet, the takeover o...AI, the GIG Ecconomy, the Internet, the takeover of public services by private organisations and Union busting legislation by government have all served to radically change the workplace.<br />The Unions just haven't responded as they should have to those changes. Indeed some have just absorbed those changes with little protest and have organised themselves (as charities have also done) to mirror the business lmodel structures of big corporations.<br />They've become hirerarcal and the prestige that affords some is in some cases more important to protect then fighting the issues that effect those you represent.<br />Interesting article just popped up on BBC news.<br /><br />The number of strikes in the UK last year was the lowest recorded to date, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).<br /><br />There were 79 stoppages in 2017, the lowest figures since records began in 1891.<br /><br />The number of workers involved in labour disputes also fell to an all-time low of 33,000.<br /><br />Nearly 70% of the working days lost were in the transport and storage sector.<br /><br />Public transport, and in particular rail services, accounted for most of the strikes.<br /><br />Last year railway firms were hit by disputes over proposed changes to the role of train conductors.<br /><br />However, out of the total 79 stoppages last year, 39 were over pay.<br /><br />There were 276,000 working days lost due to strike action, giving 2017 the sixth lowest annual total.<br /><br />ONS senior statistician David Freeman said: "While the number of days lost wasn't quite a record low, it has significantly reduced since the early 1990s.<br /><br />"This is a stark contrast to the levels seen when the miners went on strike in the 1970s and 1980s, and the even greater levels of industrial action in the 1910s and 1920s."<br /><br />'Getafix Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-82458426688590130162018-05-30T13:31:21.654+01:002018-05-30T13:31:21.654+01:00How is it that the pay is so high when we have los...How is it that the pay is so high when we have lost so many members over the last few years? Surely there must be fewer responsibilities.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8578343158425987632.post-18133817010559832192018-05-30T13:08:44.301+01:002018-05-30T13:08:44.301+01:00Even if he might be abroad he is probably still wo...Even if he might be abroad he is probably still working on his e mail and twitter stuff. A beer round the pool with his computer is of these days. <br /><br />I think the salary is in excess of 80k plus pension which is on top but worth it ? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com